Shooting-gallery game



June 6, 1939 c. J. BREITENSTEIN ET AL 2,161,012

' SHOOTING-GALLERY GAME Filed Jan. 5, 1957 e sheets-sheet 1 June 6, 1939- c. J. BRElTENs-rElN ET A1. 2,161,012

SHOOTINGTGAL'LERY GAME Filed Jem.4 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 AnPuHHa June 6, 1939. c. J. EQREITENSTEINr ET AL 2,161,012

SHOOTING-GALLERY GAME Filed Jan. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 6, 1939 c. J. BRr-:lTENsTElN 'ET AL 2,161,012

SHOOTING-GALLERY GAME Filed Jan. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inl/anions June 6, 1939- c. J. BREITENSTIN ET AL 21,161,012

SHOOTING-GALLERY GAME 4 Filed Jan. 5, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Egg Patented June 6, 1939 lJNi'E'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOOTING-GALLERY GAME Chicago, Ill.

Application January 5, 1937, Serial No. 119,118

31 Claims.

The invention relates to a shooting gallery type of amusement game in which a moving target structure is provided, along with a photo-electric cell, sensitive to a ray of light shot from a light f5 producing gun or aiming element to cause operation of the target structure.

More particularly the invention has to do with the provision of an improved targety structure, providing a plurality of targets adapted to be f1() successively hit by the light ray'and dropped in a manner imparting great realism to the playing of the game,

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for one or more il'lS targets, plus an operating means therefor, causing the target or targets to be moved together, continuously in an orbital path lying in a vertical plane, from a position out of aiming range into an aiming range position and back again out v'20 of range.

Another object of the invention is to provide a target moving in said vertical orbital path which when hit in aiming range will abruptly and bodily drop out of view to simulate in a realistic manner a fallen bird.

Still another object is to provide, in such arrangement, a cluster or plurality of targets relatively superimposed in iront oi each other so that when one is hit and dropped the one immediately behind it will be exposed to view to be hit and so on, successively, until all targets have been dropped.

Another object is to make it possible on one cycle of movement of the carrier to drop a plu- 35 rality of targets.

Another important object of the invention is to provide means whereby a dropped target is automatically reset so that it will be in proper position to be hit again on the next cycle, or 'move- 40 ment thereof into aiming range.

Another object is to provide automatic means to limit the number oi strokes or cycles the target carrier can make, when the game is released for operation.

A45 Still another object is to provide means `con- Other important objects will become apparent to tho-se skilled in this art as the disclosure is more fully made.

Briey, these desirable objects are achieved, in one form, by the illustrative structure herein dis- 5 closed, wherein a cabinet is provided with a par tition behind which isa motor driven target carrier movable with a cluster oi three superimposed targets simulating wild ducks in iiight, in a vertical, orbital path. On the down stroke the tar- 10 gets disappear behind the partition to be momentarily out ci aiming range, and on the up stroke the targets pass above the partition to appeal' in aiming range, simulating movement of a small flock or' birds in flight. Associated with each 15 target is an electromagnetic releaser for enabling the targets to drop successively when hit by a ray of light from an aiming element light source. The light source passes through openings in the targets to a photo electric cell movable therewith 20 and located therebehind, the light being converted into electrical impulses to cause operation, in succession, as the targets are hit, of said electromagnetic releasers, to drop the targets bodily a limited amount.` Means is also provided on the down stroke oi the target carrier to reset the fallen targets to their normal flight position so that on the return or up stroke of the carrier for the neXt cycle or flight, said targets lwill all properly move across the aiming range position. ,o

Further, means is provided automatically to stop the motor drive to the carrier when said carrier and cluster of targets have made a predetermined number of lcycles or flights, Yor when the aiming element has been operated the predetermined number of times. The structure is so constructed that when the target carrier comes to a position of rest when so stopped, the targets will be located behind the partition out ofaiming range. So much will suffice 'in presenting a general 40 understanding of the mechanism, which', in the accompanying sheets of drawings isv shown in detail, and in which drawings: f

Figure 1 is a general iront elevational YView of the shooting gallery comprising the cabinet which 45 houses the target unit;

Figure 2 is a similar View, but showing the target unit in perspective; the aiming or gun'unit; and also the starting or reset unit;

Figure 3 is an illustrative wiring diagram for the improved shooting gallery game;

Figure 4 is a'front elevational View of the target structure, along with 'certain control units associated therewith, said't'arget Vcarrier being shown 5g in the topmost position of its orbital path of movement;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front elevational View of the reset control unit shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the target carrier, plus targets on an enlarged scale, and in position approximately at the termination of a iiight, or cycle;

Figure '7 is also a front elevational view showing a fragmentary detail of the target carrier as it appears in its lowermost position;

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are respectively front elevational views of three targets representing wild ducks in flight, the duck of Figure 8 being the front one; the duck of Figure 9 being therebehind as the middle target; and the duck of Figure 10 being the rearmost target;

Figure 1l is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the structure in rear elevation;

Figure 12 is a detail cross sectional View, the target carrier structure taken along the line I2-I2 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 13 is a front elevational, fragmentary View similar to the showing in Figure 6, but showing` the target carrier tilted to its opposite position;

Figure 14 is a vertical, detail, sectional view through the target carrier structure, taken along the line I4-I4 of Figure 4, looking in the directio-n indicated by the arrows; and,

Figure 15 is an enlarged, side elevational view, partly in section, through the target carrier taken along the line I5-I5 of Figure 4, looking in the indicated direction,

The target unit which is the main feature of the invention is generally shown at I3 as a cabinet which contains a horizontal support I'I near its lower portion and an appropriate scenic back wall I8, and forwardly thereof, and in spaced relation thereto is an appropriate scenic front wall or partition I9 which extends only part way up to expose the upper half of the rear wall I8. The target structure to be described is located behind the front wall I9.

Secured to the base support II is an upright bracket on which is mounted an electric motor 2| having a horizontal shaft to drive an appropriate gear reducer 22 from which is driven and extends a longitudinal drive shaft 23 carrying and driving a crank 24 as shown in Figures 6 and 15. Near the lower front face of the bracket 2l) is a forwardly extending boss 25 in which is secured a set screw 25, including a pivot portion 2l. Pivotally mounted at its lower end on this pivot Z'I is an upright bar 28 which at its upper end has rigidly connected thereto, as by welding, and intermediate its ends, a cross bar 29. The lower end of the bar 23, just above the pivot 2l, has similarly connected to it a longer cross bar 30, the respective ends of which carry a forwardly extending trip pin 3l. This bar structure comprising the bars 28, 29 and 3l? is shaped like an aeroplane and comprises an integral part which moves or swings back and forth pivotally about the pivot 21, as will subsequently appear.

Above the bar 30 the bar 28 carries a bolt 32. Embracing the bolts 21, 32 are a pair of upright spaced angle bar arms 33, the lower ends of which, below the pivot 2 being cross connected by a plate 34 and the upper ends thereof being connected by a cross plate 35 and being pivotally connected'by a pin 35 to the crank 24, as shown. Between the arms 33 and bar 28 the bolts2'I, 32

carry appropriate spacers 31, as shown in Figure 15. The arms 33 in effect constitute an upright, slotted bracket, as can now be seen, which is reciprocated up and down and sidewise oscillatably by the crank 24, said bracket 33 having reciprocating motion in relation to the pivotal swinging motion of the aeroplane shaped part formed by the bars 2B, 29 and 30. The lower end of each arm 33 has connected to it a tension spring 38 extending upwardly and respectively connected at their upper endsV to the opposite ends of the bar 29, as shown in Figure 6, said springs serving to counterbalance the weight of the bracket 33 and parts carried thereby.

The slotted bracket 33 extends upwardly above the cross piece 35 as shown in Figures 6 and 14 and at its upper end has welded to it a fairly large rectangular plate 39, the upper end of which includes a horizontal bracket portion 40 on which is secured a photo-electric cell 4I. Along its lower edge and on the front face of the plate 39, as shown in Figures 6 and 12 are three spaced guide brackets 42, each bracket mounting pairs of spaced guide rollers 43 to guide for up and down reciprocating movement three respective carrier bars 44 arranged in parallelism above the guides 42 each bar 44 is provided with an additional similar guide bracket also carried on the plate 39, as shown in Figure 6. These upper guide brackets also include rollers like those numbered 43 and heretofore described.

The upper ends of the three carrier bars 44 respectively have riveted thereto three targets, each target preferably being in the form best simulating a wild duck in flight. For instance, looking at Figure 6 and viewing the arms 44 from right to left, the first arm 44 has riveted to it at the points 45 a duck target 46. As shown in Figure 14 the upper ends of the arms 44 are bent forwardly and upwardly to provide an attaching surface for the targets to be secured to.v

The target 46 is shown in Figure 8. The next, or middle arm 44 carries in a similar manner, the duck target 4! (Figure 9) at the attaching points 48, said target being disposed immediately behind the front target 46 as shown in Figure 14. The last or remaining arm 44 carries in a similar manner, the duck target 49 (see Figures 10 and 14) at the attaching points 50. These three targets are all disposed in a cluster with the same superimposed and each having an opening 5i therein, the openings 5I in the three targets always being in horizontal alinement and always registering with the photo-electric cell 4 I. In the present disclosure only three targets have been shown for the sake of illustration. Obviously this number can be varied as desired without departing from this invention.

The lower end of each target carrier bar 44 is formed with a forwardly bent end 52 and further each said bar just above its lower end is provided with a hole 53 (see Figures 6 and 14). Over each lower guide 42 (see Figure 12) is a bracket 54 fastened to the plate 39. Each bracket 54 serves to secure in place a solenoid 55 having a spring pressed core 59 adapted respectively to enter as a detent in the openings 53 in the bars 44 to lock said carrier bars in a position releasably holding the several targets in their raised positions. The inner brackets 42 as seen in Figure 12 are respectively provided with openings 5l Yfor passage therethrough of the cores 56.

It can now be seen that when the motor 2l is turning over, the crank 24 will drive the carrier 33A from its initial starting position shown in shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 to the right, to the position shown in Figure 6. In the positionV shown in Figure 4 all target carriers would be held raised by the electromagnetic detents 56 so that the ducks would show up in aiming range over the partition I9 as The cluster or flock of ducks thus moves in aiming position from left to right. The carrier 33 as it swings to the position of Figure 6 lowers slidably along the guide bolts 21, 32, stretching the springs 38. Next the carrier swings to the left as shown in Figure 13 and thenback to the position of Figure 4 and so on causing the flock of ducks to describe an orbital path with the same coming up over the partition I9 into View and then moving in aiming or viewing range to the right and disappearing behind the partition to complete the orbital path out of View while the targets traverse the bottom of their orbit.

l/Vhen a magnetic releaser 55 is energized its core 58 is retracted from the opening in the associated carrierslide 44 to cause said slide with its target to drop abruptly by gravity behind the partition. i9 to a position out of View. Such fallen target and its carrier is limited in its dropping movement when the upper bent end of thecarrier abuts the alined guide 45', as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. As the carrier with a dropped arm 44 swings to the right, the lower bent end 52 thereof as shown in Figure 6 abuts the bar 29, whereupon as the carrier completes its orbit to the left the dropped bar 44 is pushed upwardly again until the spring pressed core 58 of the now deenergized solenoid 55 reenters the hole 53 to lock said bar 44 and its target in raised position. In other Words, by the time a fallen target reaches aiming or view position in back of the partition i9 it will be in the normal flight or shooting position. The means fo-r releasing the targets and their carriers 44 with them will now be described.

An aiming or shooting element, simulating a riiile 58, is provided as a unit apart from the cabinet i6 and located any desired distance therefrom. This gun embodies a trigger actuated switch 59 disposed in an electric circuit 80, through a solenoid 8|, a wire 62 and thence to a suitable source of energy such as a battery 63 located in any convenient place. A circuit wire 64 leads from the battery to a triple blade double switch 55. A wire 66 continues the circuit to a switch 56a, thence through a wire |58D and a wire 86 to an electric lamp 81 located in the gun 58 to complete a circuit for the lamp with the source of electrical energy. The lamp 61 is so disposed in the gun that when the trigger switch 59 is momentarily closed a flash or ray of light passes through the barrel, with the aid of a lens system therein, not shown, as a projectile of light which the player aims'at the openings 5| in the cluster of targets as they move in flight behind the partition I9 in the manner already described.

Obviously a properly aimed ray of light will pass through the openings 5| and hit the photo-electric cell 4| therebehind.

This cell is, as shown in Figure 3, connected by two wires 68 in the usual way with an amplier 69 one of said conductors being in the form of a spring. The amplifier 69 in turn is in circuit with the source of yenergy 93 by means of wires 18. An electromagnet 1|, by means of wires 12, is always in circuit with the amplifier 69 but is not effective to attract a spring pulled armature 13 therefor unless the cell 4| has receivedV a light' impulse. When the magnet 1| is thus energized the armature 13 serves to close a switch 14 in circuit with a wire 15 (see Figure 3) that leads to the battery 83. Another wire 16 leads from the armature 13, which is a conductor, to one of the solenods 55, while taps 11 respectively lead from the line 16 to each of the other two solenoids 55.

The plate 39 as shown in Figures 6 and 3 carries two double spring switch units disposed between the carrier arms 44. The first switch comprises a suitably insulated bracket 18 carrying three spring switch blades 19, providing two sets of contacts 8l] and 8|. The middle blade has a depending bent tail portion 82 for a purpose soon to appear. A wire 83 connects the said middle blade 19 with the source of energy.

It can now be seen when the first target 41 is hit by sending a ray of light to the cell 4| that a circuit to the rst solenoid 55 for said duck 41 is energized, thereby releasing the detent 56 and permitting the said duck target and its carrier 44 to drop bodily by gravity in the manner already made known.

As said carrier 44 drops, its upper forwardly bent end shown best in Figure 14 engages the tail 82 on th-e middle switch blade 11 and separates the contacts to deenergize the associated solenoid 55, at the same time holding closed the contacts 8| to prepare a circuit for the middle solenoid 55 which becomes energized when the photoelectric cell is again hit by a ray of light passing through the middle target (and rear one). This middle solenoid 55, as shown in Figure 3, has a wire 84 leading to the other triple blade switch 85 carried on the plate 39 by an insulated bracket 86, said switch providing normally closed contacts 81 to which the Wire 84 leads. connected by a wire 88 between the contacts 8| and the normally closed contacts 81. The blade structure 85 also provides a normally open set of contacts 89 connected by a wire 90 to the nal or third solenoid 55.

It can now be seen that the instant the cell 4| is struck by the light ray the switch 14 closes to establish a circuit with the source of energy for the middle solenoid 55 through closed contacts 8l, wire 88, contact 81, wire 84, to the middle solenoid 55 and wires 11 and 16. Thus, the middle target 41 will drop and as a consequence the middle blade of the switch structure 85, which has a bent tail 9| will be pushed over yin the manner described to open contacts 81 and close contacts 89, thus setting the circuit for the third and last target 49 and its solenoid releaser 55. Now when the cell 4I is hitf a third time the nal circuit just described is completed in the same manner and the last target 49 is enabled to drop.

On each flight, in the present embodiment, three duck targets pass together across the aiming eld in back of the partition |9 to represent one flight. In each such flight or passage of the targets a skillful marksman can drop all three ducks successively, or one at a time, in the order already indicated. It is desirable to limit the number of shots automatically to three for each flight or passage of the targets and means for accomplishing such result will neXt be described.

The base |1 in any appropriate place adjacent one end of the swinging bar 3|] carries a pair of spaced standards 92, which in turn carry for up and down adjustable setting, a plate 93. `(See Figures 5 and 11.) The blade switch 68a One blade of the switch structure 19 is h'eretofore described is carried horizontally on this plate 93 and is suitably insulated therefrom, one end of a blade of the switch as indicated at 94 having a wiper extension which engages the periphery of a ber, non-conductor, cam 95 which turns with a horizontal shaft 96 journaled in the plate 93.

On the opposite face of the plate 93, the shaft 96 carries a ratchet wheel 97 for turning movement therewith. The plate 93 also carries a spring pulled pivoted pawl 98 which is an escapement pawl associated with the ratchet wheel 91. Said pawl 99 is positioned to be attracted by an electromagnet 99 carried on the plate 93, as shown, said magnet including a lead |99 in circuit with the wire 99. (See Figure 3.) The magnet 99 also has a lead |9| with the wire 66C. 'Ihis Wire 960 leads to wire 94 heretofore described and thence to the battery 93; whereas wire |99 leads through wire 69 to electromagnet 6| which by wire 92 is also in circuit with the battery 93. It can now be seen that the two electromagnets 99 and 9| are wired in parallel with the source of energy. 'I'he electromagnet 99 may be referred to as the escapement electromagnet, and the magnet 9|, the location of which will be presently described, may be referred to as the trip electromagnet.

Looking now to Figure 4 it will be seen that a spring 92 is provided to pull on the ratchet wheel 9i. Also the plate 99 carries a bracket |93 over1 the wheel 9i, which bracket includes a horizontal stop bar 99. The plate 99 pivotally carries on a pin |95, intermediately of its ends, a lever |99 one end of which lies in the path of movement of the adjacent end of the arm 99 in such manner that the pin 9| thereon may strike or engage the lever |99, just described. Thev opposite end of the lever |99 is disposed behind the bracket |93 and is slotted to t over a pin I9? carried rigidly on the face of the ratchet wheel 9i.

The magnet 99 is normally deenergized and when the arm 39 is in position as appears in Figure 13 to start a rst ilight of the targets, said arm 39 through the adjacent pin 3| presses down on the lever |99 as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4 to cause the opposite or slotted end of said lever 99, through pin |9'l to turn the ratchet wheel 9i, three teeth or steps in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure e. The pawl 98 permits the teeth on the ratchet wheel 91 to overrun in this direction and when the wheel has been so stepped up, serves to prevent the wheel from retrograde movement under the pull of the spring |92. Thus the shaft 99 and fiber cam 99 were turned a like amount, the cam now serving to press the spring wiper 99 to hold the switch 99@ for the lamp 9i circuit partly closed. Now, each time the trigger switch 59 in the shooting element 59 is closed the lamp 91 will be lighted and also the escapement magnet 99 will be momentarily energized' to release the pawl 9S and permit the spring |92 to pull the ratchet wheel '9i reversely and with it move the cam 95 also reversely. In this fashion due to the design of the parts and the timing, the trigger switch 59 may be closed to light the lamp 9i only three times per flight of Ythe targets across aiming range, because by the time the switch 59 has been closed three times, the ratchet wheel 9i will have moved three steps reverselylto its initial starting position, and by this time the wiper 94 will have dropped ofi the high portion of the cam 95 to cause the spring blade switch 99at to open and lbreak the light circuit. n this fashion the number-of shots that could possibly be effective on the cell 4| is limited to three per flight. On

-the next succeeding flight the bar 39 is again operative in the same manner to set up the escapement control mechanism just described and so on until the termination of the play or shooting.

The play is terminated automatically by another control mechanism when the targets have made ten flights and this additional control means Will next be described, reference being again had to Figures 4, 11 and 3, and in addition to Figure 5.

On the opposite side of the arm 39 the base carries an upright bracket structure |98 for adjustably mounting a vertical plate |99. Mounted on the base Il between the sides of the structure |98 and under the plate |99 is the trip electromagnet heretofore described. The bracket |98 carries a pivoted, spring pulled armature piece H9 operatively associated with the magnet 9|. Pivotally mounted on a pin HI above the magnet 9| on the plate |99, is a trip bell crank lever H2 having an enlarged, notched end H3 disposed just above the magnet 9|, as shown. The opposite end of this lever H2 is disposed in the path of movement of the adjacent pin 9| on the arm 99. Intermediately of its ends, said lever H2 pivotally carries an upstanding spring pulled pawl H4 movable upwardly to a limit established by a stop H5 carried on the plate |99 and laterally in one direction by a guide pin H9, also carried on said plate |99. A spring H? is connected between the lever H2 and the upper end of the bracket structure |99, as shown, to pull the lever H2 upwardly when the latter is unlatched.

Turnably carried in the plate |99 is a horizontal shaft H8 which on the pawl H9 side of the plate carries fast a ratchet wheel H9 behind a cross bar |29 mounted rigidly on the plate |99. The ratchet Wheel H9 is always pulled by a spring |2| tending to move it until a pin |22 thereon hits the bar |279. A spring urged dog |23 is pivotally carried by the plate |99 above the wheel, H9 and in normal back lash preventing engagement therewith, a normally deenergized electromagnet |24 is positioned along the top edge of the plate |99 to raise the dog |23 and release the ratchet wheel H9. Said magnet |24 may be termed the reset electromagnet, the same having a wire |25 leading to wire 'l5 (see Figure 3) for connection to the source of energy 93. |29 to a switch |21, in turn leading through a Vtap to the wire 9|, and thence through a wire |29 back to the power source. As shown in Figure 2 the switch |21, which is the starting and reset switch, may be located in a suitable box, or separate unit |29, and, if desired, the switch |27 may be Yclosed by a coin released device, in any well known manner.

The shaft H8 also carries and turns on the side of the plate |99- opposite from the ratchet wheel H9, a ber, insulated cam wheel |39 as shown best in Figure l1. One blade of the double Yswitch `95 heretofore described, has an eX- tended wiper portion ISI in engagement with the cam |139. The double switch 65 as shown, is carriedon-the bracket structure |93 in proximity to the cam- Wheel |99.

The motor 2|, is ofcourse, also in circuit with the battery 93, such circuit constituting the wire Another -wiref' |29 leads from the magnet E4, switch 65, a wire |32 and back to the battery again by means of the wire |28.

The trip lever` I I2 is, in the starting position of the play, locked by engagement of the end of member IIO in the notch II3. The first time the gun switch 59 is closed the magnet 6I is energized to release this lock and free the lever II2 and by the time the target carrier completes its first flight from left to right to the position shown in Figure '1 the spring II1 pulls the lever |I2 upwardly to operate the pawl II4, ratchet IIB and cam |30. This step up continues once per flight of the targets, until ten nights have been made, whereupon the switch wiper I3I runs off the high portion of the cam |30 to cause the motor switch 65 to open and stop the motor 2| and consequently the drive for the target carrier. The bar 30 at the end of each flight contacts the lever I2 to reset it in latched position. This completes the detail description of the structural parts, and a summary of the mode of operation and manner of use of the improved shooting gallery game will next be given.

In the starting position of the mechanism the target carrier is in the position shown in Figure 4. 'I'he vplayer shoulders the gun 58 and closes the switch |21, which sets up the circuit previously described to cause energization of the reset electromagnet |24. This magnet |24 attracts the dog |23 to raise same free of the ratchet wheel II9, whereupon the spring I2I is operative to turn the wheel II9 counterclockwise as seen in Figure 5 until the pin |22 hits the bar |20 as seen in Figure 4. This has rotated the fiber cam |30 to a position where the switch leg I3I is ofl the low side and placed onto the high side of said cam. As a result the switch 65 is pressed to close its contacts and complete the circuit heretofore described to energize the motor 2|. With the motor in operation the crank 24 turns to swing the target carrier to the right as shown in Figure 6.

Thus the cluster of three targets swings to the right exposed above the partition I9 in aiming range. The marksman aims his gun 58 at the opening 5I in the front target 46 and pulls the trigger, but first it will be remembered that when the bar 30 moved from its left position it had set upthe shot limit switch cam 95 to limitr the number of shots per flight as has already been described. Continuing, the marksman pulls the trigger light switch 59 to complete the circuit forY the lamp 61 to light it and also to energize the two electromagnets 99 and 6|. As the magnet 6| is energized it operates the member I I 0 to free the bell crank lever II2, The energized magnet 99 operates the dog 98 to allow the ratchet wheel 91 to escape for retrograde movement, one step. This escapement unit, as has been described after three operations opens the light switch 05a so that per flight the gun can operate effectively to shoot a ray o f light only three times. On the beginning of each ight, no matter how many shots may have beenred, the bar 30 sets up the escapement again in a manner now readily understood.

The lever II2 in its starting or down position holds the spring II1 tensionedfand the instant the magnet 0I is energized the lock member |I0 is drawn down to the magnet, from notch II3 to free the lever I I2, whereupon the spring I I1 raises the lever I I2 to cause the pawl I I4 to engage and step up the ratchet wheel II9 and cam |30 one step. If additional shots, or closing of the gun light switch 59 occur during a flight and before termination of said flight, the magnet 6I may, of course, be energized again a number of times. but under such additional energizations the magnet 6I does not affect the lock III), II3, since it is denitely freed and the member IIO merely utters idly between the magnet and the lower edge of the enlarged end of the lever. Of course, when the flight to the right is ended the bar 30 again engages the lever II2 to rock it down to stretch the spring II1 again, but in the meanwhile, since magnet 6I is only momentarily energized the spring pulling member I|0 is eiective to reengage the lock IIO, IIS to reestablish these parts in initial position. When the ilight is over the step up operation is repeated and the pawl I I4 turns the wheel M9 a second step, the stop II5 serving to hold the pawl stroke to one step for the wheel. The arrangement is such that by the time the wheel I I9 and cam |30 have been stepped up ten times, the wiper I3I moves` off the high portion of the cam |30 to the low, or cut ol portion thereof, causing the switch 65 to open and shut off the motor 2 I. At the same time, since the switch 65 has two sets of contacts, the light circuit is also opened to prevent shooting a ray of light at the photo electric cell when the motor is not running.

Let us now assume the marksman passes a ray of light through the alined openings 5| in the cluster of targets 46, 41 and 49 to the photo cell 4I. It will be remembered that all target carriers 44 are held releasably latched in an up position relative to the carrier plate 39 by the solenoid controlled detents 56. With a ray of light hitting the cell 4I, a circuit, previously described, through amplifier 69, relay 1I, closes a circuit to the iirst solenoid 55 to release its detent and permit the first target 46 and its carrier 44 to drop abruptly and bodily by gravity behind the partition I9 to simulate a fallen bird. The associated guide limits the drop of the carrier. In like manner, since three effective shots per flight are possible, the middle target 41 and rear target 49 may be dropped. It will be recalled that as the first target 43 dropped it established a circuit through the switch 0I to make possible energization, from the photo cell and source of energy, of the middle solenoid to cause release of its detent; also as the middle target dropped it closed switch B9 to make it possible from the light ray to energize the iinal solenoid 55.

When one or more targets are dropped they, of course, swing in their orbital path with the carrier 33, and as they move downwardly as shown in Figure 6, the lower bent ends: 52 of the carriers 44 abut the upper bar 29 to raise the targets and once more reset same in their raised positions preparatory to shooting at them again in unfallen positions as the succeeding flight takes place. v

v Thus, it will be seen three rays of light may be shot at the targets per flight, ywhen the motor is running, .and ten ights of the targets are made. This arrangement, of course, may be varied, so that more or less shots per flight may be lired, or more flights' may be made before stopping the motor; all dependent upon the number of targets that may be used in a cluster. It can now be seen that an improved shooting gallery amusement device has been provided, the structure of which achieves al1 of the desirable objects heretofore recited.

It is the intention to cover all changes and modifications ofv the example herein chosen for purposes oi illustration which do not in material respects constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as subsequently dened in the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm slidably associated with the member, means on the support including a crank for carrying and swinging the arm with the member and slidably in relation thereto, and a target carrier mounted on the arm for sliding movement in relation thereto.

2. A target apparatus comprising a support, an upright member pivoted at its lower end to the support, an upright arm slidably related to the member, a motor on the support including a crank connected to the arm for carrying and swinging the latter with the member and slidably in relation thereto, and a target carrier mounted on the arm at its upper end for bodily dropping movement in relation thereto.

3. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried onthe support, an upright arm slidably related to the member, means on the support for carrying and swinging said arm with the member and slidably in relation thereto, a plurality of target carriers slidably mounted on said arm for independent dropping movement in relation to said arm, and means for successively dropping the carriers.

4. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm slidably related to the member, means on the support including a crank for carrying and swinging the arm with the member and slidably in relation thereto, a target carrier mounted on the arm for sliding movement in relation thereto, and means to limit such sliding movement. Y

. 5. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm, means for supporting and swinging said arm with the member and slidably with respect thereto, a target carrier mounted on the arm for sliding dropping motion in relation thereto, means releasably locking the carrier on the arm, and means to release the lock to free thecarrier for dropping movement.

6. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm, means for supporting and swinging said arm with the member and slidably with respect thereto, aV plurality of target carriers mounted on thearm for sliding dropping motion in relation thereto, individual releasable lock means for respectively holding each carrier against such motion, and means for individually releasing the lock means for successively dropping the carriers.

'7. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm, means for supporting and swinging the arm with the member and slidably with respect thereto, a target carrier mounted on the arm for sliding dropping motion in relation thereto, a releasable lock to hold the `carrier against such motion, and an electromagnetic releaser for said lock.

8. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm, means for supporting and swinging the arm with the member and slidably with respect thereto, a target carrier mounted on the arm for sliding dropping motion in relation thereto, a photo electric cell carried on the arm, means,

for releasably locking the carrier on the arm, and means operable from said cell to release the locking means to cause the carrier to drop.

9. A target apparatus comprising a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm, means for supporting and swinging the arm with the member and slidably with respect thereto, a photo electric cell carried on the arm, a plurality of target carriers mounted on the arm for independent sliding dropping movement in relation to the arm, releasable means for individually latching said carriers against sliding movement, and means operable from said cell ior independently unlatching said carriers to cause dropping movement thereof.

l0. in a target apparatus, a swingably mounted arm, means to swing the arm, a plurality of carriers mounted on the arm for sliding movement in relation thereto, a target on each carrier, said targets being arranged in parallel vertical planes and normally disposed one in iront of the other with each target having an opening therethrough, which openings when the targets are in normal position are in substantial registration, and means to releasably latch the carriers in a normal position against sliding movement.

ll. In a target apparatus, a support, a plurality ofV targets mounted individually thereon for bodily limited dropping movement, means releasably holding said targets in a normal raised position, said targets in normal position being disposed side by side in spaced apart relation and` provided respectively with an opening, said open- Y ings being in alinement in the normal position oi the targets, a photoelectric cell carried on the support behind said openings, and means operable by the cell for releasing the targets to cause them to drop. i

12. In a target apparatus, a support, a member pivotally carried on the support, an upright arm, means to carry and swing the arm in an orbital path by sliding same relative to but swinging same with the member, a target carrier mounted on the arm for relative sliding dropping movement, means to releasably latch the carrierV against such relative movement, means to release the carrier for such relative movement, and means acting automatically to restore the dropped carrier to its raised latched position as the arm swings. g 13. In a target apparatus, a swingable support, means to carry and swing the support in an orbital path, a plate rigid on the support, a plurality of target carriers mounted in parallel spacingV on the plate for sliding movement relative thereto, Ieach carrier carrying a target, said targets disposed in parallel vertical 4planes and side by side in spaced apart relation with said targets each formed with an opening, said openings normally being in registration, means to latch the carriers releasably against such relative movement, a photo-electric cell carried on the plate behind an-d in line with the normal .positionsv of the target openings, and means operable by the cell when rays of light are passed through the target openings to cause successive release and dropping movement of the carriers.

lll. In a target apparatus, a swingable support, means to carry and swing the support in an orbital path, a plate rigid on the support, a plurality of target carriers mounted in parallel spacing on the plate for sliding movement relative thereto, each carrier carrying a target, said targets disposedin parallel vertical planes and side by side in spaced apart relation with said targets each formed with an opening, said openings normally being in registration, means to latch the carriers releasably against such relative movement, a photo-electric cell carried on the plate behind and in line with the normal positions of the target openings, electrical means operable by the cell when rays of light are passed through the target openings to cause the carriers to be released for dropping movement, and switch means on the plate controllable by the dropping carriers to regulate dropping of the carriers successively.

15. A target apparatus comprising ka motor, a crank driven thereby, an upright slotted bracket carried and driven by the crank iran orbital path, a pivoted member with respect to which the bracket slides, a target carrier mounted on the bracket for relative sliding dropping movement, means to latch the carrier against such movement, means to release the latch to cause such dropping movement of the carrier, and a cross bar mounted on the pivoted member and rockable therewith, said bar serving to raise the dropped carrier to its latched position.

16. In a target apparatus, a motor, an upright support pivotally carried and oscillated to and fro on a xed axis by vmeans driven from the'motor, a target operably related to and movable with the support, and means operable by the support after it has performed a predetermined number of oscillations to stop themotor.

17. In a shooting gallery, an operable aiming element and a swinging target carrier including a motor to drive the same, the combination with sai-d carrier of means controlled thereby to limit the number of swings the carrier may'make by stopping the motor, and other means controlled by the carrier to limit the number of operations the aiming element is capable of making per swing of the carrier. Y *Y 18. In combination, a target apparatus comprising a support, an arm hingedly connected to said support, a bracket carried on the arm for hinging movement with the arm as well as for slidable relative movement with respectv thereto, a target mounted on the bracket, and means for swinging the arm for hinging movement, and sliding the bracket to move the target in an orbital path.

19. In combination, a target apparatus comprising a support, an arm hingedly connected to said support on a xed axis, a slotted bracket mounted on the arm for hinging movement with the arm as well as for sliding movement with respect thereto, a target mounted on the bracket, and rotary means connected to the slotted bracket for swinging same with the arm and sliding same relative to the arm to move the target in an orbital path.

20. In combination, a target apparatus cornprising a support, an upright arm pivotally connected on a fixed axis adjacent its lower end to the support, an upright bracket extending above and below the bar, means to carry the bracket on the bar for relative sliding movement with respect thereto, a target mounted on the bracket, means to swing the arm about its pivot with the bracket, and means to slide the bracket relative to the arm while the arm swings to move the target.

21. In combination, a target apparatus comprising a support, an upright arm pivotally connected adjacent its lower end on' a xed axis to the support, an upright slotted bracketextending above and below the bar and in parallelism therewith, means cooperable with the slot to mount the bracket on the arm for relative sliding' movement, a target carried on the bracket for movement therewith, and means to swing the arm about its pivot and to move the bracket with and relative to the arm to produce an orbital movement of the target.

22.. In combination, a target apparatus cornprising a support, an upright arm hingedly carried by the support for swinging movement about a xed axis, a target carrying bracket mounted on thearm for relative sliding movement with respect thereto, a motor carried on the support, and means driven by the motor and connected operatively to the bracket to swing the arm and bracket and slide the latter to move the target.

23. In combination, a target apparatus comprising a support, means carried on the support for swinging movement about a fixed pivot, target carrying means mounted for movement about said pivot with the rst mentioned means and additionally for sliding movement relative thereto, and motor driven means for causing said rst meansv and target carrying means to move as stated.

24. In combination, a target apparatus comprising a support, means carried on the support for swinging movement about a xed pivot, target carrying means mounted for movement about said pivot with the rst mentioned means and additionally for sliding movement relative thereto, yieldable means connected between the rst means and target carrying means, and power actuated means for causing said first means and target carrying means to move as stated.

l25. In combination, a target apparatus comprising a support, an upright arm mounted on the support for hinging movement about a xed axis, an upright target carrying bracket 'mounted to hinge with the arm about the same axis and slide relative thereto, power actuated means to move the arm and bracket, and resilient means connected between the arm and bracket.

'26. InV combination, a target apparatus comprising a support, an upright bar pivotally connected to said support on a xed axis, a target carrier operatively associated with the bar and mounted to swing with the bar and slide up and down relatively thereto, power actuated means to swing the bar, a plurality of targets mounted on the carrier respectively in different but parallel vertical planes, means independently carrying the targets for individual dropping move-V ment with respect to the carrier, and means for successively dropping the targets.

27. In a target apparatus comprising a single movably mounted target carrier, a plurality of independently movable targets mounted on the carrier respectively in spaced apart relation one behind the other, said targets being formed respectively with an opening and so positioned normally that said openings are in registration and means responsive to the passage of a light beam through said openings for dropping the targets in succession.

28. In a target apparatus comprising a single movably mounted target carrier, a plurality of independently movable targets mounted on the carrier for dropping movement and disposed respectively in normal spaced apart relation in yproximate but different vertical planes, and

means responsive to a light beam passed through openings formed in the targets whereby said targets may be dropped successively.

29. In combination, a target apparatus oomprising an upright bar pivoted on a fulorum near its lower end, a target carrier movable with the 'nar and also having sliding movement relative to the bar, a target mounted on the carrier for bodily limited dropping movement, a cross member on the bar to cause resetting of a dropped target to raised position, and power actuated means to swing the bar.

30. In a target apparatus comprising an upright bar pivoted on a xed fulorum near its lower end, a target carrier movable with the bar and also having sliding movement relative to the bar, a target mounted on the carrier for dropping movement in relation thereto, power yactuated means to swing the bar, and a cross bar carried intermediate its ends on the upright bai' adjacent the fulcruin of the latter, said target when dropped having a portion t0 engage the vcross bal for raising the target to normal position as the carrier Y moves.

31. In a target apparatus comprisingY an upright bar pivoted on a fixed fulorum near its lower end, a target carrier movable with the bar and also having sliding movement relative to the bar, a target mounted on the carrier iol' dropping movement in relation thereto, power actuated means to swing the bar with the carrier, a 10 means controlled by the other cross bar to limit 15 the operation of the power actuated means.

' CHARLES J. BREITENSTEIN. DONALD E. HOOKER. 

